An Army sergeant from Missouri is fighting for his life after hitting a tree while skiing in Santa Fe.

An Army sergeant from Missouri is fighting for his life after hitting a tree while skiing in Santa Fe.

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Updated: 10:37 PM MST Feb 16, 2016

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WEBVTT ERTON SPOKE EXCLUSIVELY TO THE FAMILY WHO DIDN'T EVEN THINK HE WOULD LIVE. MATT: ARMY SGT. JEREMY GARARD IS FIGHTING THE TOUGHEST BATTLE OF HIS LIFE. >> TO SEE SOMEONE THAT YOU KNOW WHO HAS THIS TYPE OF STRENGTH BE IN A POSITION OF JUST COMPLETE HELPLESSNESS IS OVERWHELMING. MATT: GARARD AND HIS BROTHER JONATHAN WHO'S ALSO IN THE ARMY SPENT SUPER BOWL WEEKEND SKIING IN SANTA FE. AND DURING ONE OF THEIR RUNS JONATHAN SAYS SOMETHING WENT TERRIBLY WRONG WITH JEREMY'S BINDINGS. >> HE WENT FORWARD AND HE SLID ABOUT 25 YARDS INTO THE SNOW AND WENT DIRECTLY INTO THE TREE LINE AND JUST WRAPPED THROUGH TREES, JUST HORRIFIC TO WATCH AND TO WITNESS. MATT: JEREMY SURVIVED BUT WITH CRIPPLING INJURIES, A LACERATED LIVER AND PUNCTURED LUNG. A BROKEN BACK AND RIBS AND SHATTERED DISLOCATED HIPS. >> THESE UNEXPECTED THINGS THEY JUST THEY CHANGE LIVES. MATT: DOCTORS INDUCED A COMA SO THEY COULD OPERATE ON JEREMY. HE WAS UNRESPONSIVE FOR DAYS UNTIL ONE NIGHT WHEN JONATHAN WALKED INTO HIS ROOM AND HELD HIS BROTHER'S HAND. JEREMY WOKE UP. IT WHAT -- >> IT WAS EMOTIONAL. IT WILL ALWAYS BE EMOTIONAL, BUT I AM THANKFUL. MY HEART REJOICES. THAT IS ALL I NEEDED. MATT: JEREMY STILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO. BUT HIS BROTHER IS JUST THANKFUL HE CAME DOWN THAT MOUNTAIN ALIVE. >> I DO BELIEVE GOD SPARED HIS

Army Sgt. fights for life after New Mexico ski accident

An Army sergeant from Missouri is fighting for his life after hitting a tree while skiing in Santa Fe.